1. The Historical Background of Yud Beis Tammuz
Today’s Torah and Tea coincides with Parshas Baloch, but more significantly, it falls on the 12th of Tammuz—Yud Beis Tammuz. This date is especially celebrated among Chabad Chassidim because it marks the miraculous liberation of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe from Soviet exile. To understand the significance, let’s look at the historical context: In Soviet Russia, the communist regime sought to eradicate all religions, including Judaism. They enacted harsh laws to restrict Jewish practice, closing schools, shuls, mikvahs, and kosher establishments in an effort to stamp out Yiddishkeit—Jewish life and observance.
The Soviet government was a powerful and often cruel empire. Many Jews at that time maintained some level of observance but were forced to give in under pressure. Most buckled under the weight of persecution. However, the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe stood almost alone, with a small group of Chassidim, defying these oppressive forces. He established underground schools and mikvahs, sent shochatim&mdash>ritual slaughterers—to provide kosher food, and did everything possible to keep the spark of Judaism alive.
The regime’s efforts were not only external; some Jews who had abandoned their heritage became active in suppressing Jewish life from within. The so-called “Jewish section” of the Communist Party knew exactly how to target Jewish practices. Eventually, the authorities arrested the previous Rebbe. In those days, there was no advocacy or recourse—the government acted as it pleased.
2. The Miraculous Liberation and Its Aftermath
The Rebbe’s arrest was dire: he faced imprisonment, a potential firing squad, and then a sentence of ten years hard labor in Siberia. However, due to immense pressure from both inside Russia and abroad (notably from the United States), his sentence was commuted to three years’ exile in Kastrama—a city meant to limit his influence but not subject him to hard labor.
Amazingly, after only about ten days in Kastrama, on the 12th of Tammuz (which that year also fell on a Tuesday), word came that he was completely freed—he could return home to Leningrad without restriction. However, because that day was a legal holiday in Russia and government offices were closed, he could not receive his official release document until Wednesday, the 13th of Tammuz.
This is why both days—the 12th and 13th of Tammuz—are celebrated as festive days among Chassidim. On these days we omit Tachanun—supplicatory prayers—and hold a farbrengen, a joyous gathering commemorating Hashem’s miracle.
3. Giving Thanks for Miracles: The Order of Blessings
When Hashem performs miracles for us—such as healing from illness or surviving danger—we are obligated to thank Him publicly with blessings like Hagomel. This applies when someone is freed from prison or saved from mortal danger: we express gratitude through special prayers acknowledging Hashem’s kindness even if we feel unworthy.
The halacha is that one recites this blessing only after being completely freed or healed. The previous Rebbe marked his liberation by delivering two maamarim—Chassidic discourses: one on Tuesday when he heard he was free (the 12th), and another on Wednesday when he actually received his release document (the 13th). Interestingly, each discourse focused on different verses and themes.
One might expect that upon leaving prison, one’s first act would be to thank Hashem for deliverance. Yet the previous Rebbe did not begin with words of thanks; instead he quoted a verse from Hallel: “Hashem li b’ozrai—Hashem is among my helpers.” Only on Wednesday did he explicitly thank Hashem for His kindness.
4. Protecting Those Who Helped: The Deeper Message
The Rebbe explains this surprising order: before thanking Hashem for his own salvation, the previous Rebbe prioritized protecting those who had risked themselves to help him. By quoting “Hashem li b’ozrai va’ani ereh b’sonai—Hashem is among my helpers and I will see [triumph over] my enemies,” he invoked Divine protection over all who assisted him so they would not suffer repercussions.
This concern was very real given Soviet surveillance and repression—a world where people were spied upon constantly and even family members could inadvertently endanger each other by revealing secrets under pressure. I know firsthand how pervasive this fear was: my own father worked with the previous Rebbe to preserve Yiddishkeit in Russia and struggled for years after immigrating to America to shed that ingrained fear.
The courage required just to advocate for the Rebbe’s release was immense; people risked their jobs and safety simply by approaching authorities on his behalf. Many Chassidim suffered greatly for their activism—some never returned home—yet they persisted because Yiddishkeit itself hung in the balance.
5. The Miracle Within a Miracle: No Harm Befell His Helpers
A remarkable aspect of this story is that none of those who advocated for or helped free the previous Rebbe suffered any harm—physically, spiritually, or financially. This outcome is itself an extraordinary miracle given how ruthlessly dissenters were usually punished by Soviet authorities.
The Rebbe attributes this protection directly to the first maimer: by invoking “Hashem li b’ozrai,” he created a spiritual shield around all involved parties before even expressing personal gratitude for his own salvation. This demonstrates profound selflessness: safeguarding others took precedence over celebrating his own freedom.
The deeper message here is that while many appeared as helpers in natural terms (advocates abroad or activists within Russia), ultimately it was only Hashem orchestrating events through them as His agents. Their actions were expressions of Divine will rather than independent efforts—a perspective which ensured they would not be held liable by earthly powers or spiritually endangered by their involvement.
6. Understanding “Hashem Is Among My Helpers”
The verse “Hashem li b’ozrai—Hashem is among my helpers” seems puzzling at first glance: do we really have any true helpers besides Hashem? The answer lies in recognizing that while people may act as agents or vessels for good deeds (mitzvos) on our behalf, it is ultimately Hashem working through them.
This idea parallels our own lives: every mitzvah we perform becomes our helper or advocate before Heaven—just as every sin becomes a prosecutor against us. When King David said “my helpers,” he referred not merely to external assistance but also to our own positive actions inspired by Hashem which come back to help us in times of need.
The fact that these activists used their free choice means they are still rewarded for their efforts—even though it was ultimately Hashem acting through them—because they chose righteousness despite great personal risk.
7. Seeing Through Our Enemies: Growth Through Challenge
The verse continues “va’ani ereh b’sonai—I will see [triumph over] my enemies.” Why focus on seeing revenge rather than praying for enemies’ repentance? The Rebbe offers an insightful interpretation: sometimes facing adversity brings out hidden strengths within us—our challenges become catalysts for growth rather than destruction.
This applies both externally (opponents who threaten us) and internally (personal struggles). Overcoming adversity allows us new vision—sometimes it takes an enemy or obstacle for us truly to appreciate our capabilities or values.
The previous Rebbe thus used this verse first—not out of vindictiveness but as an acknowledgment that through challenge comes clarity and elevation—and as a spiritual safeguard for those who helped him during perilous times.
8. Lessons from Parshas Baloch: Strength From Our Roots
Bilaam says in Parshas Baloch: “From atop the mountains I see them.” The mountains represent our ancestors—Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov—and our matriarchs Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, Leah—whose strength flows into every Jew today. Bilaam intended harm but instead recognized how deeply rooted and resilient we are because of our heritage.
This resilience manifests as determination not to surrender despite adversity—a quality inherited from generations past who stood strong against oppression just like the previous Rebbe did against Soviet tyranny.
The lesson for us is clear: even when surrounded by challenges—whether external threats or internal struggles—we must draw strength from our roots and persist in living proudly as Jews.
The story of Yud Beis Tammuz teaches us about courage under fire—not only surviving but ensuring others are protected along with ourselves—and about recognizing Hashem’s hand behind every act of deliverance.
May we merit continued protection and strength until we see ultimate redemption with Moshiach.